Thunder

Thunder are a UK hard rock band formed in London in 1989 by singer Danny Bowes, guitarist Luke Morley and drummer Gary “Harry” James after leaving Terraplane. The line-up also includes Ben Matthews and bassist Chris Childs. The band is active from 1989 to the present.

Early releases and breakthrough

The group develops from the earlier Terraplane line-up of Bowes, Morley and James, and builds a style based on blues rock and hard rock influences. Mark “Snake” Luckhurst joins soon after the band forms on bass. Thunder’s debut album, Backstreet Symphony, is released in 1990 and becomes a commercial and critical success. The album includes “Dirty Love” and “Love Walked In”, both of which reach the top 40 in the UK and the US. Thunder also performs at the Monsters of Rock festival in that period and appears on BBC’s Top of the Pops with a version of “Gimme Some Lovin’”.

1990s albums and line-up changes

Thunder follows Backstreet Symphony with Laughing on Judgement Day, which reaches number two in the UK album chart. Bassist Mark “Snake” Luckhurst leaves and is replaced by Swedish musician Mikael Höglund. The band then records Behind Closed Doors in 1995. For The Thrill of It All in 1996, Luke Morley plays bass on the album, and Chris Childs joins for the subsequent tour and remains with the group. Giving the Game Away follows in 1999. Around the end of that year, Thunder announces a split and finishes its final tour in 2000.

Return, later records and side projects

Thunder returns in 2003 with Shooting at the Sun, released on the band’s own label. The Magnificent Seventh! follows in 2005, and Robert Johnson’s Tombstone appears in 2006. In 2008 the group releases Bang! and appears with Def Leppard and Whitesnake. Thunder announces another split in 2009, then briefly reunites for the High Voltage Festival in Victoria Park in 2011 and plays further shows, including one at Rock City in Nottingham.

The band fully returns in 2015 with Wonder Days, followed by Rip It Up in 2017. Please Remain Seated comes after that as an acoustic release, and All The Right Noises follows in 2021. The group also releases the double album Dopamine in 2022.

Outside Thunder, Luke Morley works with Peter Shoulder in The Union, a blues- and soul-influenced project, while Gary “Harry” James plays with Magnum, including on The Visitation. Thunder’s career is marked by repeated touring, festival appearances and a continued association with melodic hard rock, arena rock and classic hard rock.